(A fictional short story)
EEEEKKKKKK…the tires squealed as the 18 wheeler slammed into the fire red corvette convertible head-on. Channel 77 immediately showed up at the scene. The reporter announced, “Police say that a middle aged man driving a Corvette, ricocheted off the cement divider on I-75 this evening. The car spun around facing on-coming traffic after being side swiped by a green Caviler. There were 4 fatalities in the 3 car pile up…Hope, the driver of the Caviler, miraculously walked away with minor injuries. Back to you John.”
Screams and gnashing of teeth came from all sides as the driver of the corvette entered the gate.
“Hi, Ted” the Devil snickered..hehehe…
“Where am I” Ted questioned?
“You’re new home” the Devil replied.
“Why am I here? I was a good person, I went to church on occasions, I volunteered at the homeless shelter. I had everything in the world. I was successful, rich, generous, loved. I don’t deserve this! Let me out” he demanded.
Moments later Stacey, the passenger in the Caviler, arrived.
“What is this place? What’s going on?” she nervously questioned.
“If your so-called-friend, Hope, would have told you about Christ maybe you wouldn’t be here…or maybe you still would” he hissed.
Joyful singing and glorious music filled the air as Ralph approached the pearly gates.
Jesus was waiting for him and said, “Welcome, enter in my good and faithful servant.”
Ralph didn’t know what to say…”Jesus, I don’t deserve to be here. I was a drunkard, I cheated on my wife, I beat my children. I don’t deserve to be in your presence at all much less for eternity.”
Ralph had dedicated his life to Jesus the day before. He had asked God to forgive him of his sins and planned to make things right with his family. He was anxious to get home and tell them how God had changed his life, but would never get the chance…
Jesus replied, “You’re right. You don’t deserve to be here, but you accepted me as your personal Savior and committed your life to me. I washed away your sins and remember them no more! You are pure and clean by my blood which I shed for YOU on Calvary. My grace and mercy are sufficient. Here, there is no sorrow, no disease, no war, no pain. Ralph, you are finally home.”
Mean while, Hope was returning home after being checked out by the doctors for a few cuts and bruises. The guilt, sorrow and regret weighed on her as if carrying the whole world on her shoulders. Thousands of thoughts went through her head. How could this have happened? I only looked down for a second. It’s all my fault…all those innocent people. I never told Stacey about Christ! Why didn’t I tell her? Was I afraid she would get mad at me? If I could only go back and fix things…
I’m NOT saying cram Jesus down people’s throats. Most of the time, it’s harder to witness to the ones that are closest to you and that you love the most. Don’t regret missing an opportunity to tell someone about the most important person in your life…Christ. Go to people gently in brotherly LOVE and not judgment. I’m the first to say that I walk on egg shells around certain people about the “God” subject. Many times I have not taken my own advice. I have missed many opportunities that God has given me. He forgives me, but I don’t forget…What’s more important? People getting mad at you in this lifetime or the next?
